Contemprary Tanka Poet Mariko Kitakubo.
お知らせ
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Aug. 22, 2024, I performed bilingual Tanka reading at the Thursday poetry Meeting hosted by Ms. Kathabela Wilson. |
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Poets Salon
Positive Energy
Hosted by Kathabela Wilson
Fireworks
longing
is always lonely sky...
under
the jacaranda
fireworks finale
Mariko
far away and yet...
the meteor shower
lights up the sky
-Deborah
(2024:31)
Tanabata
palm leaf sounds...
turquoise manicure
in midsummer
resting on the shore
bringing us closer
-Mariko
your thumb as you hang
the tanzaku
our matching wishes
-Deborah
(2024.714)
Mariko and Debbie
Mariko Kitakubo is a tanka poet in Tokyo, Japan.
Deborah P Kolodji wrote haiku in Temple Oty, CA.
Kathabela Wilson welcomes a short poem sent to : editorial@coloradoblvd.net
These are the last two new works written together by dear friends Marike Kitakubo and Deborah P Kolodji They created this form called Tan-Ku la combination of Tanka by Mariko and Haiku by Debbie) Distance is a a collection of their work together in 2023 by Shabda Press. Deborah's newest book, Vital Signs, Haiku glimpses of moments in her cancer journey was published in 2024 by Cuttlefish Books In Vital Signs, Deborah sees the condor come back from extinction as a metaphor for the cancer patient fighting for one's own survival.
Deborah P Kolodji passed away in her sleep on July 21, 20:24 after a long struggle with cancer. Her positive energy, beautiful writing and leadership in eur poetry world continues to inspire us all
Kathabela
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Five works were posted in Under the Basho, including one piece by Tan-Ku as a preface.
Thank you very much to everyone at Under the Basho.
Fireworks – a Tan-Ku
Details
Written by: Mariko Kitakubo and Deborah P Kolodji
Published: 09 August 2024
longing
is always lonely sky...
under
the jacaranda
fireworks finale (M)
far away and yet…
the meteor shower
lights up the sky (D)
Mariko Kitakubo
Deborah P Kolodji
(2024.7.1)
Mariko writes:
This is the one of our last Tan-Ku set published in Colorado Boulevard.net.
I subconsciously wrote something that predicted her death, and she responded kindly to it.
I will continue to live with her spirit, supported by our eternal bond.
Golden Poppies – a Tan-Ku
Details
Written by: Mariko Kitakubo and Deborah P Kolodji
Published: 09 August 2024
abandoned
at the end
of the world
you are forgotten
sunshine seeds (M)
lashes flutter
as I dream
golden poppies (D)
quiet
colors of dawn
on the packet
the disabled artist
opens my eyes (M)
morning light
I reach for a pair
of gardening gloves (D)
my rebirth
in the early summer
breeze…
Invisible tiny lives
in a soft lump of soil (M)
planted
in the rich earth
I long for your blooms (D)
Mariko Kitakubo
Deborah P Kolodji
Cape May – a Tan-Ku
Details
Written by: Mariko Kitakubo and Deborah P Kolodji
Published: 09 August 2024
without talk
just smiles for each other
two beach chairs
at sunset
we need nothing (M)
lull tide
two gulls skim
the horizon (D)
under
the cloud-shaped
angel,
standing on the dune
I believe in miracles (M)
the music of the sea
calms my weary spirit
footprints in the sand (D)
what
am I searching for...
following
the tracks
seabirds leave (M)
land’s end
our eyes on the lighthouse
against the clouds (D)
Mariko Kitakubo
Deborah P Kolodji
Prehistory – a Tan-Ku
Details
Written by: Mariko Kitakubo and Deborah P Kolodji
Published: 09 August 2024
what did he
stammer
that night
super blue moon
over the Balkans (M)
summer evening
the clarity
of my hearing aid (D)
sometimes
better not to know
everything...
the lilies of the field
the birds of the air (M)
butterflies flitter
flower to flower
dreams (D)
the lost
continent,
Greater Adria
transparent wings
of giant dragonflies (M)
plucking petals
from a daisy
my own evolution (D)
Mariko Kitakubo
Deborah P Kolodji
Passengers – a Tan-Ku
Details
Written by: Mariko Kitakubo and Deborah P Kolodji
Published: 09 August 2024
changing
trains to return
home ...
long railway
through grasslands (M)
midnight silence
the sound of a far off
air whistle (D)
I can't remember
the name of the bridge...
still playing
hide and seek
with mom's ghost (M)
bare hills
my mother’s stories
about the troop train (D)
the door
opens and closes
so many faces...
departure bell
for my life ,again (M)
Cabernet Sauvignon
I sit in the dining car
alone (D)
Mariko Kitakubo
Deborah P Kolodji
Friday, August 9, 2024
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2On August 3, 2024, I had the great honor of reading Japanese and English tanka at the party celebrating the publication of Poetry Friend Joy Waller's poetry collection Cosmic Nervosa, which was held at the Ryozan Park Lounge in Tokyo. |
Sunday, August 4, 2024
On July 24 (U.S. time), Colorado Boulevard, an online poetry magazine, published the final two pieces of Tan-Ku by Ms. Deborah P Kolodji and me.
My deepest gratitude to Mr. Wafic Khalil and Ms. Kathabela Wilson, who decided to post it in their journal three days after Ms. Kolodji passed away. Thank you very much.
Fireworks
longing
is always lonely sky…
under
the jacaranda
fireworks finale (M)
far away and yet…
the meteor shower
lights up the sky (D)
Tanabata
palm leaf sounds…
turquoise manicure
in midsummer
resting on the shore
bringing us closer (M)
your thumb as you hang
the tanzaku
our matching wishes (D)
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
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On June 29th, 2024, PDT, I hosted a Japanese home-cooked lunch party to express my gratitude to the people who helped me during my stay in California. During the party, I had the opportunity to perform a Japanese-English tanka reading. |
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I want to acknowledge Ms. Deborah P Kolodji, the co-founder of Tan-Ku, who participated in the reading and brought depth and profundity to our performance. It was heartening to see that those who were new to Tanka reading enjoyed it with great interest. Some of them even recorded videos of our performance, which was a very rewarding moment for me. |
When I initially organized this Japanese lunch party, I had no idea it would be my final reading presentation with my soulmate, Debbie. However, I believe it was a precious opportunity to share a heartfelt reading and ensure everyone had a satisfying time.
This video was edited by merging several clips. As a result, there may be instances where the display switches between vertical and horizontal or gets interrupted. Despite this, I hope you can still appreciate the realistic feel of our reading performance.
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
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On June 26, 2024, PDT, I presented two Japanese-English tanka sequences at the Art Gallery in Monrovia. I played BGM with my percussion that I brought from Japan, and Mr. Rick Wilson's flute added a special touch to my performance. The theme of my performance was the ever-changing nature of life. Ms. Susan Dobay, the gallery director, was moved to tears by my performance and enjoyed it greatly. It was a very honorable moment for me. |
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
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On June 25th, PDT, I attended the Poetry Zoom Meeting in Pasadena, California. The meeting was hosted by Mr. Michael Czarnecki, an exceptional poet who creates English poems, tanka, and haiku. The theme of the meeting was "Return." During the meeting, I presented a reading performance of my two tanka sequences, "Return to the History" and "Return to My Childhood." I was honored that the audience, who usually do not have many chances to hear Japanese-English tanka readings, enjoyed my performance. |
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
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On June 21, PDT 2024, during a summer solstice evening in Santa Monica, I took part in the poetry event at the Rapp Saloon. I wholeheartedly thank everyone who appreciated my performance and for their continuous applause. Thank you very much. I hope to have the chance to see you again in the future. |
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Monday, June 24, 2024
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On June 8, 2024, the International Institute for Japanese Studies Joint Workshop was held at Hosei University Graduate School, Room S306, Sotobori Building, Ichigaya Campus. Overall Flow: First Half: - Introduction to Tanka poetry. - Reading some pieces from Manyoshu and Modern Tanka, two sequences themed about pets and one piece themed about Father's Day. - Sharing my bizarre yet funny experiences during solo travels for tanka presentations across different countries. Second Half: - "Easy Order Tanka" activity, where participants selected their favorite type of tanka from seven examples and arranged the first or second half of the tanka in their preferred way. - Participants were encouraged to create a completely original tanka as well. - The workshop concluded with group representatives making stage presentations using percussions provided at the workshop. The workshop was highly successful, and I regretted not recording the participants' presentations. Each student group engaged in discussions to create tanka pieces on varied themes such as a familiar ramen flavor, a casual interaction in daily life, and a deep exploration of reincarnation. I found the participants uniquely authentic and intelligent and was pleasantly surprised by their rich expressions based on the small suggestions and advice provided. I express sincere gratitude to the professor for attention to detail and overall support. Thank you very much. |
Monday, June 10, 2024
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